Interlocking mechanism for voting-machines.



v J.H.DEAN. INTERLOGKING MECHANISM FOR VOTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED S EPEIH IfI, 1908.

' PatentedDe0.2,1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

coLuMBu} PLANOGRAPH C04. WASHINGTON, u c.

J. H. DEAN INTERLOUKING MECHANISM FOR VOTING MACHINES. 1,080,003, Patented Dec.2,1913.

' 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 17, 1908.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPM c0., WMHINGTON. D. c.

' J. H. DEAN.

Patented Dec. 2,

4 sHEETSSHEET 3.

INTERLOGKING MECHANISM FOR. VOTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.1'T, 1908.

COLUMBIA PLANomiAFH COQWASBINGTDN, DJ c.

J. H. DEAN.

INTERLOGKING MECHANISM FOR VOTING MACHINES v 4 APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 17, 1908. 1,080,003, Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. DEAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE TRIUMPH VOTING MACHINE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

INTERLOCKING MECHANISM FOR VOTING-MAGHINES.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES H. DEAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in'Interlocking Mechanism for Voting-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to interlocking mechanism for voting machines and seeks to provide simple and effective interlocking mechanism for preventing a voter from casting more votes, either in single or multi-candidate groups, than he is entitled to under the law, and which may be readily changed or grouped for different elections.

The invention also seeks to provide slmple and effective mechanism whereby the separate voting devices of an indorsed candidate in a multi-candidate group may be properly interlocked.

The invention consists in the features of improvement, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention is shown applied, and is especially adapted for use in the type of machine set forth in my Patent No. 1,013,646, in which the ballot indicators or voters keys are arranged in rows and columns upon the flat top of the machine. While the invention is especially adapted, and is shown in connection with this type of machine, it, and particularly certain features thereof, may be adapted to other types of voting machines. The present form of interlocking mechanism is also shown in other prior applications filed by me May 27, 1907, Serial No. 875,782, and June 17, 1907, Serial No. 379,471 and Serial No. 379,47 5, of which in some respects the present application is a continuation.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical, longitudinal section through the machine from side to side thereof illustrating the interlocking mechanism. Fig. 2 is a vertical section from front to rear of the machine. Fig. 8 is a plan View of a portion of the interlocking mechanism with certain parts omitted for the sake of clearness and certain parts shown in section. Fig. 4 is a View of the grouping blocks or pins employed for adjusting the interlocking mechanism for clif- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 17, 1908.

party columns.

Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

Serial No. 453,476.

ferent elections. Fig. 5 is an enlarged, detail view with parts shown in section on the line 55 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view with parts shown in section on the line 66 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an en larged detail view with parts shown in section on the line 77 of Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is a detail view of one of the counter mechanisms.

As in the constructions shown in the prior applications referred to, the machine is provided with a box-like frame or casing, upon the upper, flat face of which the names of the regularly nominated candidates are arranged, preferably in ofiice rows and in The corresponding ballot indicators or voting keys 2 are arranged at the upper face of the machine in rows which extend from side to side of the machine and in columns which extend from front to rear thereof, and which, as stated, preferably Qcorrespond respectively to the different offices and the different party tickets. As in the prior construction, the keys 2 are mounted, for convenience in manufacture and making repairs, in units or sections, each of which comprises two connected sideplates 3 and which are arranged at the upper portion of the frame or casing 1 upon supports 4 that extend from front to rear of the machine. The keys or ballot indicators 2 move longitudinally through guides 5 at the upper portion of the unit sections and are shifted vertically to and from voted position. Each key is provided with a tail-piece 6 rigidly secured thereto that moves between a pair of guides 7 at the lower portion of the unit section. Each section carries two keys in line with the two counters controlled thereby mounted in the section on opposite sides of the keys. Each counter (see Figs. 2 and 8) comprises a set of counter-wheels 8 mounted upon a cross-pin or shaft 9 extending between the sides of the unit section. The units wheel of the counter is provided with a Geneva stop gear 10 that is arranged to be engaged by a Geneva stop actuator 11. The actuators are rotatably mounted within a sleevelike support 12 having oppositely projecting lugs 13 and 14. A cross-pin 15 extends through one of the lugs and the other rests upon a cross-pin 16. These crosspins extend between and are fixed to the side-plates of the counter-section.

The actuators are at all times interlocked correct or change a vote.

with the gears upon the units wheels of the counters so that the latter cannot be moved independently of the actuators. The actuators 11 and supports 12 may be shifted in the direction parallel to the axis of the counter to move the actuator into and out of OPGl'HtZlVG relation with the gear 10 upon the units wheel of the counter. For shifting the actuator in this direction, the lug 13 of the support 12 is provided with a depending portion having a latcrally-projecting pin 18 which engages a cam slot 19 in the tail-piece 6 of the corresponding key or ballot indicator (see Figs. 2 and 8). As clearly shown in F ig. 2, these cam slots are provided with vertical portions at their ends which are out of line and connected by an intermediate, inclined portion. By this means, the actuator is held against movement during the first and last portions of the vertical shift of the key and the actuator is only moved while the pin 18 is passing through the inclined portion of the slot 19 as the key is moved through the middle part of its shift. The actuators 11 of the different sections are arranged in line and a series of operating shafts 20 extend therethrough. These shafts are oscillated by the operating mechanism, as set forth in the prior applications referred to, to oscillate the actuator and thereby advance the counters corresponding to the voters keys.

As stated, the vertical keys or ballot indicators 2 are longitudinally shiftable to and from voted position. Preferably they are normally held at the upper ends of their movement and are depressed to voted position. The shift of the key is limited by projections 21 on the tail-pieces 6 thereof which extend within slots 22 in the sidepieces 3 of the counter-sections. The keys merely serve to shift the counter-actuators into and out of operative relation therewith, so that any voted key may be retracted to The actuator shafts 20, as set forth in the prior applications referred to, are oscillated in one direc tion as the voter is admitted to the machine, and back to normal position as the voter leaves the machine. The actuators may be normally out of operative relation with the gears 10 of the units wheel of the counters so as to be shifted into operative relation therewith by the movement of the keys to voted position. In this case the oscillation of the actuator shafts 20 and actuators, as the voter leaves the machine, will advance all of the counters corresponding to the keys left in voted position, one step. Or the actuators may be normally in operative relation with the units wheels of the counters. as set forth in a prior application filed by me April 1, 1907, Serial No. 365.639. In this case, the oscillation of the shafts 20 and actuators 1.1, as the voter is admitted to the machine will advance all of the counters one step and the movement of the keys to voted position will throw the corresponding actuators out of operative relation with the counters operated thereby so that, when the voter leaves the machine and the actuator shafts 20 are oscillated back to normal position, the counters corresponding to the voted keys will remain ad "flDCQd one step while the counters corresponding to the unvoted keys will be moved back one step. Two topplates 23 and 2-1 are arranged over the counter sections. The plate 21 is provided with peep holes through which the counters may beread. The counters are, however, concealed during the election by the plate 23 upon which are the names of the an/lidates.

The tail-portion G of each key is rovided with a slot within which extends one end of a roe er-arm 25. The two rocker-arms for the two keys of each section are loosely journaled upon the reduced ends of a hub 26 which in turn is loosely journaled in the side-plates 3 of the counter section (see Fig. 2). \Vashers 27 on the reduced portions of the hub 20 between the sideplates 3 and the rocker-arms hold the latter in position. The large, central portion of the hub 26 is provided at one point with laterally projecting lugs 28 that are arranged between a pair of shoulders 29 and 30 on the corresponding rockenarrns. The hubs 26 of the different unit sections are arranged in line and are provided with square openings through which extend a set of restoring shafts 31. These shafts are oscillated by the operating mechanism as set forth in the prior applications referred to, and are normally held in the position shown in Fig. 1 with the lugs 28 on the hubs 2G engaging the shoulders 29 of the rocker-arms 25 and holding the latter and the keys and coimtcr-actuators connected thereto in normal unvoted position. hen a voter is admitted to the machine, these shafts are unlocked so that he may operate the voting keys. At the completion of the operation of the machine, the shafts are rocked to restore and lock the keys and counter actuators in normal unvoted position. The lugs 29 and 30 on the rockerarms are spaced apart for a distance greater than the width of the lugs 28 so that the keys have a lost-motion connection with the restoring shafts 31 and so that the continued operation of the keys is permitted while any of the keys that have been voted will be restored. As there is one of these restoring shafts for each column. of keys, they may serve as straight ticket members and for this purpose, are provided at their forward ends with crank-handles or straight ticket keys 32. hen the machine is un locked, the voter by shifting one of the cranks 32 may move an entire party column of keys to voted position. The lost-motion connections between the shafts 31 and the rock-arms 25, however, permit the independent operation of the separate keys in the column.

As set forth in application Serial No. 365,639 above referred to, a series of dogs 33 are fixed to hubs 34 which are ournaled in the counter-sections. A series of shafts eX tend through the hubs 34 and are controlled by the operating mechanism. These dogs cooperate with the pointed ends of the rockerarms 25 to complete the movement of any partially voted key, and to lock the keys against movement, and the actuators either in or out of operative relation with their counters during the oscillation of the actuators. The operating mechanism is arranged in a main operating section comprising two connected side-plates 36 which are arranged at the back of the machine see Fig. 2). A series of cranks 37 connected by a bar 38 engage the actuator shafts 20 and a similar series of cranks 39 engage the dogoperating shafts 35 and are connected by a bar 40. A series of cranks on the locking and restoring shafts 31 are controlled by a bar 41. These parts are operated from a pair of sliding cam plates 42 and 43 which are connected by a link 44 to an operating crank-arm 45. This arm is arranged on the inside of a removable back-plate 46 and is connected to an operating hand-lever 47. These parts are fully set forth in the prior application referred to and need not be more fully described here.

A series of arrows or interlocking straps 48 are pivotally connected at their upper encs, one to the projecting tail portion of each of the rocker-arms 25. These arrows or interlocking straps are provided at the' 1 lower ends with spreaders or wedges 49 that coiiperate with the rows of interlocking blocks The arrows extend through the blocks and by depression of the ballot indicators or keys to voted position, the tail portions of the rocker-arms 25 are lifted and the wedges or spreaders 49 are pulled into position between the blocks to spread the same. The extent to which the blocks may be moved or spread is limited to prevent an elector from casting more votes than he is entitled to under the law. The arrows or interlocking straps 48 and the wedges or spreaders 49 thereof, are preferably formed of flat, comparatively thin metal, so that they will be of light weight. They are, however, arranged in planes in line with the rows of blocks 50, as indicated in Fig. 2, so that they will properly resist the strains placed upon them. The upper ends of the straps engage enlarged port-ions or rivets by which they are secured to the tail portions of the rocker-arms 25. By this arrangement, each arrow or interlocking strap is brought into the same plane with the ac tuating rocker-arm therefor. The wedges or spreaders 49 are provided with parallel side edges (4 and with inclined wedge or cam shoulders b at their upper portions which act upon the adjacent edges of the blocks 50 to separate the same.

The blocks are preferably formed of flat, relatively thin metal pieces and are arranged to slide horizontally or in a plane at right angles to the movement of the arrows and spreaders affected by the voting keys. For this purpose they are arranged in guides, each of which is preferably formed of two sheet metal sections 52 having vertical upper portions 0 and laterally extending, reentrantly bent lower port-ions (Z which form slots 6 within which the interlocking blocks 50 are arranged. The two sections of each guide are connected together and held apart in proper spaced relation by rivets 53 extending between the vertical portions 0 of each guide and having enlarged shoulders or washers 54 between the portions 0. The guides extend from side to side of the machine and are supported at their ends upon a pair of screw-bolts that are rigidly connected at their ends to angle bars 56 of the machine frame. Collars 57 on the supporting bolts are arranged between the several guides and serve to hold them securely in position and properly spaced apart. A nut 58 (see Fig. 2) is threaded upon each of the bolts into engagement with the end sleeve 57. The supporting bolts 55 extend as shown, through openings in the upper vertical portions 0 of each guide so that the locked portions at the lower ends of the guides are free to permit the horizontal, sliding shift of the interlocking blocks 50. The interlocking arrows or straps 48 extend downwardly between the vertical portions 0 of the guides and between the blocks and through slots between the lower portions (2 of the guides. The upward movement of the straps or arrows affected by the keys, as stated, brings the enlarged wedges or spreaders 49 into line with the blocks to spread the same. The arrows and spreaders are, of course, free to shift laterally with the blocks and independently of the keys and rocker-arms which eflect their longitudinal shift. The preaders 01' wedges 49 are normally located, as stated, below the rows of blocks and are restored to this normal position at the end of the voting operation by the movement of the shafts 31 and rock-arm 25 which also, as previously described, restores the voted keys and counter actuators.

There is one row of arrows and blocks for each oliice row of ballot indicators or keys, and by proper movement of the blocks in the guideways, the number of keys which may be placed in voted position can be limited. For this purpose, each guide is provided at one end with a stop-piece 59 which is arranged between the upper, central portion a of the guide and is mounted upon the central portion 54 of one of the rivets 53 and upon a washer 60 arranged upon one of the supporting bolts 55 between the up per, vertical portion 0 of the guide. At its end, the stop piece 59 is provided with a lug 61 which extends downwardly into the slots 6 of the guide and in position to engage the end block 50 in the guide. At its opposite end, each guide is provided with a locking latch or hook 62 which is pivotally mounted at its inner end upon the enlarged portion 54: of one of the rivets 53. The outer hook portion of the guide rests upon the washer 60 on the supporting bolt 55 and extends downwardly over the open end of the slot c of the guide and in the path of movement of the opposite end block 50. Grouping blocks 63 are inserted in the open end of the slot c of the guide between the end block 5O therein and the end of the locking hook or latch 62. For example, in a single candidate group, a group of blocks 63 of such length will be inserted in the channel that only a single spreader can be raised into position between the blocks in the channel and only a single key in the corresponding oilice row can be shifted to voted position. In a, portion of Fig. 3, the guides or channels for the interlocking blocks are omitted for the sake of clearness. The two lower rows shown in this figure, are arranged for single candidate groups. In the lower row a single key has been voted and the corresponding spreader raised into position between the blocks and, as shown, all the space is taken up between the stop lug 61 and the end of the hook 62 at opposite ends of the row. In the next adjacent row none of the keys have been voted and there is suflicient space for play between the blocks in this instance shown between the end block 50 and the grouping block 63 to permit a single spreader to be drawn into line with the row of blocks and a single key placed in voted position. By retractin the key, the corresponding wedge or spreader is of course retracted and the voter may then correct or change his vote but cannot cast more votes than he is entitled to.

For multi-candidate voting, a number of the rows 01 interlocking blocks are connected together and movement properly limited. For this purpose, the end block 50 in each row is connected to the opposite end block 50 in the next adjacent row by means of a series or" tie-rods (i l. Each tic-rod is provided with hooked ends one of which ena lug 65 riveted to the end block 50 and the other of which engages the lower or outer end of a swinging dog or link 66 that is connected at its upper or inner end by a pivot'pin 67 to a depending lug 68 riveted upon the end bloc: 50 Each dog or link 66 is provided at its free end with a laterally projecting lug 69 and the link may be drawn outwardly and its lug inserted in the open end of the slot so that the lug will engage the outer end of the end block 50 to which it is pivotally connected. In this position of the dog or latch, the end block 50 is connected to the opposite end block 50 in the next adjacent row so that the two blocks will move in unison and motion will be transmitted from one row to the other. In the lowered or disconnected position of the dog or latch, the two end blocks will be free to move independently.

\Vhere a number of rows of keys are to be thrown into a multi-candidate group, all of the dogs or links 66 of the corresponding rows of interlocking blocks will be placed in the guides or channels therefor, with the exception of the dog or link connected to the last row of blocks in the group. In the channel for this last row of blocks a grouping block of proper size will be inserted between the end block 50 therein and the locking latch or hook 62.

In Fig. 3, two fixed candidate groups are shown of six rows 01' blocks each. In each group, the dogs 66 of the first five rows are placed in engagement with the end blocks 50 to connect each of them to the end block 50 in the next adjacent row of the group, and a number six grouping blocks is inserted between the extreme end block 50 of the group and the lug or latch 62 therefor. In this position of the parts, the end blocks of the group are rigidly connected to transmit motion from one row to the next and the movement of the extreme end blocks of the entire connected group and the shift of the entire set of blocks is limited at one end by the grouping block 63 and latch 62 and at the other end of the group by the stop-lug 61.

In Fig. 3 the upper fixed candidate group is shown with none of the keys voted and in the lower group six of the keys are voted and all of the lost-motion or play in the group is taken up as shown. It should be noted that the outside end block of any group is entirely disconnected from the out side end block of the next adjacent group since the dog 66 and tie-rods 64; between these blocks is in disconnected or disengaged position. In the prior Dean Patent No. 636,730, dated November 7, 1899, for voting machines, the interlocking mechanism setforth consisted of separate oflice rows of blocks but the end block of each row was permanently connected to the opposite end block of the next adjacent row and could not be disconnected therefrom, so that the two blocks thus connected were either both held stationary or both moved together but could not move independently of each other. By means of the present improved grouping connections, the opposite end blocks in any two adjacent rows may be either connected for simultaneous movement or may be entirely disconnected so that they may shift independently of each other. This improvement practically doubles the range of movement of the interlocking blocks and also practically doubles the capacity of the machine so far as its adaptability for use with large multi-candidate groups is concerned. Moreover, in the present arrangement the rows of blocks may be grouped in any desired manner. For example, any number of rows may be connected and the movement thereof may be limited so that any desired number of keys in the group may be voted.

In Fig. 4 a set of grouping blocks is shown and these blocks are preferably numbered as indicated. If desired, for example, six rows of blocks may be connected and a number five or number seven or any other grouping block could be inserted and the number of keys which could then be voted in the group would then be limited to five or seven, or to the number corresponding to the grouping block used. In the prior construction, if a certain number, for example, six rows of blocks, were thrown into a group, six and only six keys could be voted and the arrangement could not be changed to permit the voting of any other number of keys. The present arrangement is particularly advantageous in primary elections where it is often desirable to throw a large number of rows of keys and interlocking blocks into a single group and to limit the number of keys which may be voted to a number less than the number of rows in the group.

The machine is provided with a side door (see Fig. l) which, during election, is locked in position over the ends of the guides or channels for the grouping blocks. By removing this door, access is readily had to the hooks 62 and dogs 66 so that the ma-. chine may be readily grouped. An inwardly projecting angle bar 71 riveted upon the inner face of the door, extends over the hooks or latches 62 so that the latter cannot be jarred from position and so that the grouping of the machine must remain in the condition in which itis set by the proper custodian. The free end of the locking hooks or latches 62 are provided with inclined edges f which are such that the pressure of the grouping blocks 63 against them will tend to securely hold the latches in their locking position.

To reduce the friction between the arrows or interlocking straps which swing in arcs about the pivot pins 51 and the interlocking blocks which slide in straight lines in the guides or channels 52, the blocks 50 are provided at one or both ends with notches 7 2 through which all of the unvoted inter-locking studs or arrows extend so that, unless an interlocking arrow or spreader is in voted position, the interlocking blocks on opposite sides thereof will be in contact and there will be no friction between the blocks and the unvoted arrow as they are shifted in lateral direction. The notches 72 also serve to hold the interlocking arrows or spreaders in proper relation to the blocks.

The arrows or spreaders 73 which project upwardly through the rows of interlocking blocks 50, form part of the class voting device which is set forth in the claims in my Patent No. 995,329.

To further brace the guides or channels for the interlocking blocks, a pair of heavy cross-bolts or stays 74 extend over the ends of the channels and are rigidly connected to the angle bars 76 of the machine frame. Supporting straps extend between the bars 74 and the supporting bolts 55 for the guides or channels.

In multi-candidate groups it sometimes occurs that the main candidate will be indorsed by two or more parties and it then becomes necessary to supplement the main interlocking mechanism to prevent a voter from casting more than a single vote for such indorsed candidate.

The improved indorsing mechanism is carried in a separate removable unit or section comprising the side-plates 77 of thin metal and are connected together by rivets 78. These rivets are provided with enlarged central portions to properly hold the sideplates 77 apart. The indorsing section is arranged in vertical position and extends from side to side of the machine (see Figs. 1 and 2) just below the counter-sections. The indorsing section is provided at its ends with notches 79 which fit over a pair of horizontal supporting rods 80 that extend from front to rear of the machine. Dogs 81 pivotally mounted between the sideplates 77 upon one of the rivets 78, are ar ranged to engage each of the supporting rods 80 and are held in engagement therewith by a pair of latches 82. These latches are pivotally mounted between the plates 77 of the indorsing section and are provided with camshaped ends 83 that are arranged to engage the dogs 81 and hold them in engagement with the rods 80. The latches 82 are also provided with tail portions 83 which, in the locked position of the latches are turned down into engagement with the supporting rods 74. The removable side door 70, which, as stated, is locked in position during the progress of an election, engages the tail portion of the latch 82 at one end of the section and holds it in locked position. A removable door 85 at the other By removing the side doors and lifting the tail portions of the latches 82, the dogs 81 may be swung out of engagement with the rods 80 and by turning the section at an angle to the rods they may be removed from the machine. A number of the rivets 78 are arranged in a series of horizontal rows, three in number in the form shown upon which are mounted a number of horizontal rows of interlocking blocks 86. These blocks are formed of thin metal plates and are provided with elongated slots 87 through which the enlarged portion of the rivets 78 extend. The blocks are arranged between the side-plates 77 of the indorsing section and the blocks of each row are arranged in line so that the ends of the blocks may abut. The slots 87 permit a limited movement to these interlocking blocks. The rivets 78 are also arranged in sets of vertical rows with two closely adjacent rows in each set. Between the rows of each set is arranged a vertically sliding interlocking strap 88 and the vertical rows of rivets are so arranged that there is one of these straps between the adjacent ends of the interlocking blocks 86 of the several rows and an interlocking strap between the outer ends of the end blocks of the several rows. The straps overlap the ends of the blocks as shown, and the space between the side-plates 77 of the indorsing section is just suflicient to receive the blocks 86 and straps 8S and still permit the free horizontal shift of the blocks and the free vertical shift of the straps. In this way, the blocks and straps are securely held in proper position. By the arrangement of the rivets 78 in horizontal and vertical rows, they serve as supports and guides for the blocks 86 and as guides for the interlocking straps 88.

The upper end of each strap 88 of the indorsing mechanism is provided with a laterally projecting lug 89 which is arranged to engage a slot 90 in the lower end of the tail portion 6 of the corresponding key. The distance between the interlocking straps is the same as that between the keys, so that the interlocking straps of the indorsing section may be properly connected to the keys of one 01. the oflice rows of the machine to be shifted in vertical direction therewith as the latter are moved to and from voted position. In placing the indorsing section in the machine, the side door and the side portion 91 above the side door are removed and the supporting bolt at the left is removed so that the in dorsing section may be thrust endwise in horizontal direction to position with the lugs 89 engaging the slots of one row of keys side of the machine, which is also locked in and with the notch 79 at the right-hand position during the election, engages the end of the sectlon in engagement with tail of the latch 82 at the other end of the the supporting rod 80 at that end oi unit section and holds it against movement. the machine. The other supportmg rod 80 is then placed in position and the latches 82 are turned down to force the dogs 81 into engagement with the supporting rods 80. The side doors 85, 70 and 91 are then placed on the machine and the indorsing mechanism is secured in position. The upper ends of the indorsing straps 88 are oifset, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the indorsing sections may be arranged between the rows of interlocking arrows or straps 41:8. The tail-piece 6 of each key is provided with two slots 90 so that the indorsing section may be arranged on one side or the other of the ofiice row of keys to which it is connected. It is obvious that the indorsing section may be connected to any ofiice row of keys and be properly held in position upon the supporting rods 80. It is further obvious that a number of indorsing sections may be arranged in the machine, so that as many of the otlice rows of keys as is necessary may be provided with indorsing sections.

Each of the interlocking straps 88 ot the indorsing section is provided with a series of holes 92, one for each of the rows of in tel-locking blocks 86. These holes are arranged to receive removable spreader pins 93 which are arranged to engage inclined edges 94: of the blocks 86 to spread the same when the keys and interlocking straps are depressed to voted position. One end of each of the removable spreader pins 93 is headed, as shown in Fig. 6, to assist in placing them in position on the interlocking straps 88. The side-plates 77 of the indorsing section, are provided with out\ 'ardly defleeting portions that form guideways 95 for the spreader pins 93.

The movement of each row of indorsing blocks 86 is so limited by the length of the slots 87 that only a single spreader pin 93 may be moved into line with the vertical end edges 96 of the blocks. here a candidate is indorsed by two or more parties and his name is associated with two or more keys in an oflice row, this row of keys, if in a multi-candidate group, is provided with an indorsing section and the indorsing straps 88 connected to the keys of the indorsed candidate are provided with spreader pins 98 in position to cooperate with one of the rows of indorsing blocks 86. The voter can then only depress one of the keys associated with this candidates name to voted position, so that he can only cast one vote for such candidate. He is free, however, to cast votes for as many candidates in the group as he is entitled to under the law. By providing a number of rows of blocks in each indorsing section, any two of the keys in the same ofiice row may be employed for an indorsed candidate. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, the first and third keys of the office row there shown are arranged for an indorsed candidate by having spreader pins 93 in the corresponding straps 88 and cooperating with the upper row of indorsing blocks 86 as shown. The second and fourth keys are arranged for another indorsed candidate as shown, by having the spreader pins 93 in the corresponding indorsing straps and cooperating with the middle row of blocks 86. In a six or seven party machine, the third row of blocks could be utilized in connection with two keys in the row associated with another indorsed candidate. In a machine having more than seven party columns of keys it would be necessary to have an additional row or rows of indorsing blocks. For example, an eight or nine party machine would require a fourth row of blocks while a ten or an eleven party machine would require five rows of blocks, and

It often occurs that the names of the indorsed candidates cannot be arranged on the face of the machine in the same office row, so that it sometimes becomes necessary to provide means in connection with keys in different office rows so that such keys may be employed in connection with the name of an indorsed candidate. For this purpose, each end block 86 is provided with a projecting pin 97 which extends through a slot 98 in the side-plate 7 7 of the indorsing section. The pins at one end of the rows of blocks 86 project in one direction and the pins on the slots at the other end of the rows project in the opposite direction, as shown in Fig. 5, so that the two end blocks of two adjacent rows may be connected by a tie-rod 99. In this way, two rows of blocks in two adjacent indorsing sections may be connected so that motion will be transmitted from one row to the other and by placing spreader pins 93 in the indorsing straps in position to cooperate with the connected rows of indorsing blocks, the keys connected to the straps, and which may thus be located in different rows may be used for an indorsed candidate. For example, in Fig. 5, the upper rows of the middle and lower indorsing sections shown are connected together and the second indorsing strap in the middle row and the third indorsing strap in the lower row are provided with spreader pins so that only one of the two keys connected to these straps can be left in voted position and these keys may be used for an indorsed candidate. A number of rows in a number of different indorsing sections can thus be connected together so that any two keys of the machine, no matter where located, could, if necessary, be used for an indorsed candidate.

The straps 88 are properly supplied with the removable spreader pins 98, as is neces sary when the indorsing section is removed fro-1n the machine. To assist in placing the spreader pins and straps in position, the sides of the indorsing sections are provided with slots 100 and the upper and lower edges of the blocks 86 opposite these slots are provided with notches 101, so that a tool may be inserted through the slots 100 to engage the notches and thereby shift the blocks 88 to permit the passage of the spreader pins 93 between them. The indorsing straps 86 shift with the keys and are, of course, restored to normal position with them to remove the spreader pins 93 from between the blocks. To hold the straps 88 in the posi tion to which they are set with the keys, the straps are preferably provided with friction springs 102 formed by cutting out a portion of the strap and offsetting it as shown. These friction springs engage the inner faces of the guides 95 and hold the straps SS in position.

It should be noted that the vertically movable ballot indicators or keys are each connected to one end of the pivoted rocker-arm 25 while the corresponding interlocking strap or arrow 48 is connected to the opposite end. Tn this way the arrows and keys are counterbalanced and will remain either in voted or unvoted position without employing friction springs for holding them in their different positions. This feature is quite important, particularly in a machine employing keys that are vertically movable through the horizontal face of the machine. As previously pointed out, the cam slots 30 of the keys are provided with vertical portions at their ends so that the actuators are not shifted until the key has been depressed part way. The interlocking arrow, however, connected to each key, is shifted as soon as the key is depressed and its spreader is moved into line with the row of interlock ing blocks before the corresponding counter actuator is placed in voted position. This arrangement compels the setting of the interlocking mechanism before the counter can be placed in position to record the vote.

It is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the details set forth without departure from the essentials of the invention.

I claim as my invention 1. In voting machines, the combination with a number of ofiice rows of ballot indicators or keys, of a corresponding number of sets of interlocking blocks, spreaders for said blocks connected to and operated by said keys, means for detachably connecting the end blocks of the several sets to form groups, stops at the opposite ends of each set of blocks "and a set of grouping blocks of different lengths adapted to be inserted between one end block of each group and the adjacent stop.

2. In voting machines, the combination with a number of o'l'iice rows of ballot indicators or keys, of acorresponding number of rows of interlocking blocks, spreaders for said blocks connected to and operated by said keys, tie-rods for detachably connecting the opposite end blocks of adj acent rows, stops at the opposite ends of each row of blocks and a set of grouping blocks of varying length adapted to be in serted between one end block of each group and the adjacent stop.

3. In voting machines, the combination with a number of oilice rows of ballot indicators or keys, of a corresponding number of rows of interlocking blocks, spreaders for said blocks connected to and operated by said keys, guide channels for said blocks, tie-rods for detachably connecting the opposite end blocks of adjacent rows, stops at one end of each channel, locking latches at the opposite end of each channel and a mnnber 0t grouping blocks of different lengths adapted to be inserted in said channels between one end block of each group and the adjacent latch.

at. In voting machines, the combination with a number of oflice rows of ballot indicators or keys, of a corresponding number of rows of interlocking blocks, spreaders for said blocks connected to and shifted by said keys, tie-rods for detachably connecting the opposite end blocks of adjacent rows, guide channels for said blocks, fixed stops at one end of each of said channels, locking latches at the opposite ends of said channels, grouping blocks arranged to be inserted in said channels between one end block of each group and the adjacent looking latch and means for positively holding said locking latches against movement.

Interlocking mechanism for voting machines comprising interlocking blocks, spreaders for said blocks and guides for said blocks comprising two connected plates having upper, vertical portions and outwardly projecting reentrantly bent lower portions forming guide grooves for said blocks.

6. In a voting machine, the combination with a number of rows of ballot indicators or keys, of main interlocking mechanism therefor and supplemental interlocking mechanism comprising a number of rows of blocks, means for detachably connecting said rows of blocks, and spreaders for said blocks arranged to be dctachably connected to the ballot indicators or keys of an indorsed candidate.

7. In voting machines, the combination with a row of keys, of main interlocking mechanism therefor and supplemental interlocking mechanism con'iprising a number of rows of interlocking blocks, and spreaders detachably connected to said ballot indicaters or keys to cooperate with any one of said rows of blocks.

8. In voting machines, the combination with a row of ballot indicators or keys, of main in erlocking mechanism therefor and supplemental interlocking mechanism comprising a number of rows of blocks, interlocking straps connected to said keys and removable spreaders for said rows of blocks adj ustably connected to said straps.

9. In voting machines, the combination with a row of ballot indicators or keys, of main interlocking mechanism therefor and supplemental, indorsing mechanism comprising a number of rows of blocks, interlocking straps connected to said keys and having a series of openings one for each row of blocks and spreader pins for said blocks removably mounted in said openings.

10. In voting machines, the combination with a series of ballot indicators or keys, of main interlocking mechanism therefor comprising interlocking blocks, spreaders for said blocks connected to and operated by said keys and means for limiting the movement of said blocks, and supplemental, indorsing interlocl-zing mechanism comprising a row of blocks having a limited, lateral shift, interlocking straps for said blocks connected to said keys and spreader pins for said blocks remo "ably connected to said interlocking straps.

11. In voting machines, the combination with a number of ol'iice rows of ballot indicators or keys, of main interlocking mechanism for said ballot indicators or keys and supplemental, indorsing interlocking inc-hanism for said ballot indicators or keys, said su iiplemental indorsing mechanism being mounted in a separate unit or section adapt ed to be removably and adjustably fixed in position in the machine and detachably connected to said keys.

12. In voting machines, the combination with a number of ballot indicators or keys, of main interlocking mechanism theretor and supplemental interlocking mechanism comprising a unit or section detachably and shittaoly mounted in the machine, a number of rows of blocks mounted in said indorsing section, interlocking straps detachably connected to said keys and adjustable spreader pins detachably connected to said straps.

13. The combination in a voting machine of keys arranged in an otl icc row, a support arranged below said row of keys and in line therewith, a plurality oi rows of interlocking blocks carried on said support, interlocking devices connected to and nu able with each of said keys and extending past all of said rows of interlocking blocks, displacing members capable of connection with each of said interlocking devices at a plurality of points therein above each oi ,ditl rows of interlocking blocks whereby said interlocking device may be interlocked with one or more of said rows of interlocking blocks.

14. The combination in a Voting machine of a key and an interlocking member attached thereto, said interlocking member having a plurality of holes therein, a displacing pin adapted to be inserted in any of said holes and project beyond said member, interlocking blocks adjacent to each of said holes with which said pin can engage to produce interlocking efiect.

15. The combination in a voting machine of a key and an interlocking member attached thereto, said interlocking member having a plurality of holes therein, a displacing pin adapted to be inserted in any of said holes and project beyond said member, interlocking blocks adjacent to each of said holes with which said pin can engage to produce interlocking effect, said interlocking member moving across said blocks.

16. The combination in a voting machine of a plurality of series of interlocking blocks having beveled ends, a key and an interlocking member attached thereto, said interlocking member extending across said plurality of series of blocks, and having pin holes therein one adjacent to each of said series of blocks one or more round pins extending sidewise therefrom and engaging with the adjacent interlocking blocks and producing interlocking effect therewith.

JAMES H. DEAN.

Witnesses:

HARRY L. CLAPP, KATHARINE GERLAOH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington. D. C. 

